News and commentary about the reigning royal houses of the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, Spain, Monaco -- and the former European monarchies as well.

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Tuesday, January 31, 2012

This postcard was probably published shortly after the marriage of HSH Richard, 4th Prince of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg (1882-1925), and HSH Princess Madeleine of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Freudenberg (1885-1976). The couple were married at Langenzell, Baden, on November 21, 1905. This postcard was mailed on February 26, 1906.

The couple had three children: Gustav, 5th Prince of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg (1907-missing 1944 and declared dead in 1969) who married Margareta Fouché d'Ortrante; Charles Heinrich, 5th Prince of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Hohenstein (1908-1983); Prince Ludwig-Ferdinand (1910-1943), who married Princess Friederike Juliane of Salms-Hortsmar.

Gustav and Margareta's eldest son, Richard, is married to Princess Benedikte of Denmark. They have one son and two daughters. Hereditary Prince Gustav has been involved in a long term relationship with Carina Axelsson, but they cannot marry because of the terms set in his grandfather's will. It is unlikely that the will can be overturned, which means that the estate and title will eventually pass to Christian-Heinrich's line.

Prince Richard has a younger brother, Prince Robin, but Robin's only son, Prince Sebastian, is married to a commoner, which excludes Sebastian and his descendants. This means the succession will move to Bernhart, 6th Prince of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Hohenstein (1962), the only son of Christian-Heinrich and his second wife, Princess Desiree of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Hohenstein.

Bernhart was married in 1996 to Countess Katharina von Podewils-Dürnwitz. They have one son, Prince Wenzel, born in 1997.

HRH Infanta Maria Adelaide Manoela Amelia Micaela Rafaela of Portugal celebrates her 100th birthday. The youngest of the eleven children of Dom Miguel de Braganza, Infanta Maria Adelaide was born on January 31, 1912 at St. Jean de Luz, France. (Dom Miguel had three children by his first wife, Elisabeth of Thurn und Taxis, who died several weeks after giving birth to a daughter in 1881. He married in 1893 for a second time to Princess Marie Therese of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg.)
Adelaide was named for her paternal grandmother, Princess Adelheid of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg.

During the second world war, the family lived in Vienna, where the infanta worked as a nurse. She was active in the Resistance movement, arrested and was sentenced to death by the Gestapo, after being accused of listening to the BBC. But the Portuguese dictator, Antonio Salzar intervened on the Infanta's behalf, stating that she was someone of national heritage. Infanta Maria Adelaide was a granddaughter of King Miguel. She was also apparently active in a group called O5, where her code name was Mafalda. The group helped to hide Jews from the Nazis.

Thanks to Salazar Maria Adelaide was released and deported to Switzerland, where her brother, Dom Duarte Nuno, Duke of Braganza lived with his wife, Maria Francisca.

After the war, Infanta Maria Adelaide and her family returned to Vienna.

On October 31, 1945 at Vienna, Infanta Adelaide married Nicolaas van Uden (1921-1991), a Dutch national. She and her new husband planned to go to Africa, but after being allowed to return to Portugal before the repeal of the ban against her family, the plans to move to Africa were dropped.

In 1949, Infanta Maria Adelaide and her husband, a doctor specializing in skin diseases, were able to move to Portugal. Unfortunately, Dr. van Uden's medical degree was not recognized in Portugal, and he could not practice medicine. For many years he worked for in a research laboratory and other scientific foundations in Portugal.

Her nephew, the Duke of Braganza, is the current head of the royal house of Portugal.
For more information about her role in the resistance, see the book, The Hand of Compassion: portraits of moral choice during the Holocaust by Kristen Monroe.

Yesterday, the Infanta's family celebrated her life with a Mass of Thanksgiving at the Church of Alvalde do Sado. Two of her children, Nuno and Maria Teresa van Uden attended the service.

"These honors are a way to convey what she thinks, fears and makes proposals for the future, passing by Christian values," Nuno van Uden told a reporter.

Today, the Portuguese president conferred the Order of Civil Merit on Infanta Maria Adelaide. She is, according to the official statement, "an example of life by moral stature."

Great joy in The Netherlands today. Crown Princess Juliana gave birth to her first child, a daughter, reports the New York Times. The Netherlands "generally would have hailed a son most enthusiastically, but this country has been ruled so satisfactorily by Queen Wilhelmina," that no real disappointment has been seen by the "nation-wide rejoicing."

The official communiqué read: "Her Royal Highness Juliana gave birth to a fine daughter today, the 31st of January, 1938, at 9:37 a.m. The condition of mother and child is most satisfactory."

Queen Wilhelmina was told that the "child is perfect." The new princess has blue eyes and fair hair. She weighs 7lbs 11 ozs.

The news spread like lightning throughout the country. Former Kaiser Wilhelm II, who lives in exile in the Netherlands, sent flowers from his hothouse.

The infant will have the titles Princess of Orange-Nassau and Princess of Lippe-Biesterfeld. Her names will not be announced until the day after her father, Prince Bernhard, "announces the birth to the burgomaster in the presence of two witnesses."

The AP reports that "for months the pious Hollanders had prayed" that the Crown Princess would give birth to a son. The last King of the Netherlands, Willem III, was born in 1817. But Princess Juliana wanted a daughter, and her "wish was granted at the little white palace of Soestdyk," her country home.

Empress Alexandra of Russia has taken a turn for the worse, reports the New York Times. The "nervous disability" which has baffled Russian specialists, is now "complicated" by an eye infection. The infection is considered serious to warrant possible surgery.

The Empress, the mother of five children, is "being strongly urged to try a change of climate" in order to restore her health. She may go to Germany to with her sister, Irene, the wife of Prince Henry of Prussia, who is at present taking care of a third sister, Grand Duchess Elisabeth Feodorovna.

Duchess Marie of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, daughter of the reigning Grand Duke Adolf Friedrich, is about to file for divorce from her French husband, Count Georges Jametel, reports the New York Times from Berlin.

Their "romantic marriage in 1899" caused consternation among Europe's royal houses. There is no confirmation regarding the report of a possible divorce.

It was "alleged" several years ago that Duchess Marie, "after an adventure with a servant," left Germany for France. It was at a seaside resort in France that she met Count Jametel, the son of "a patent medicine manufacturer."

She married him not long afterward. It was said that Infanta Eulalia of Spain arranged the match. First reports of marital problems surfaced in 1900 "that owing to the differences between her husband and her family," Duchess Marie sided with her "blood relations" and left the Count.

Monday, January 30, 2012

King Boris of Bulgaria is about to announce his engagement to Princess Jolanda of Italy, according to a New York Times dispatch from Rome, which quotes Sofia newspapers.

This engagement "will arouse divided opinions" in Italy. The marriage will undoubtedly strengthen Bulgaria's dynasty among other European nations, especially Yugoslavia, Romania and Greece.

Princess Jolanda is the eldest daughter of King Vittorio Emanuele and Queen Elena. She was born at the Quirinal on June 1, 1901. The Princess is Roman Catholic.

King Boris, who is six years older than the princess, was baptised as an infant, according to the Roman Catholic rites, but two years later, he was received into the Orthodox faith, as the Bulgarian constitution requires the heir to the throne be raised in the Orthodox church.

Frederik VIII was proclaimed King of Denmark today, reports the New York Times.

"King Christian the Ninth is dead! Long Live King Frederik the Eighth!"

The proclamation was made by Denmark's Premier, who appeared on the palace balcony and announced to a crowd of 50,000 people the death of King Christian IX and the succession of his eldest son Frederik VIII.

There were "roars of cheers" and the city's "forts thundered a royal salute," as King Frederik stepped out on the balcony.

"Our old King, my dearly beloved father, has closed his eyes. He fell asleep peacefully and calmly, having faithfully discharged his royal duties to the last.
"In taking over the heavy heritage placed on my shoulders I cherish the confident hope, and offer a sincere prayer that the Almighty may granted me strength and happiness to carry on the Government in the spirit of my dearly beloved father, and that I may have the good fortune to reach an understanding with the people and their chosen representatives on all that tends to the good people and happiness of our beloved fatherland.

"Let us joy in the cry, 'Long live the Fatherland!.'"

King Christian will be buried in Roskilde Cathedral, where his wife, Queen Louise, is interred.

The Marquise de Fontenoy reports today on the "grave fears" for the health of the Princess of Asturias' infant son, the "heir presumptive to the Spanish throne."

Since his birth three months ago, Infante Alfonso "has grown neither in weight nor size." His wet nurses have been changed four times, and now, the doctors, "in utter despair," are considering "to bring him up on the bottle."

It is "doubtful under the circumstances" whether Alfonso "will survive infancy." The only thing "in his favor" is that his uncle, the present King of Spain was an "equally unpromising baby."

Friday, January 27, 2012

The late George V's widow will continue "to be called officially Queen Mary and not Queen Mother Mary" after the king's funeral, and "at least until KIng Edward VIII marries," according to a decision by governmental and court officials.

The Chicago Daily Tribune also reports that "according to King George's will, which is not published," Queen Mary "has been left Sandringham House as long as she lives, after which it reverts to King Edward." The newspaper reports that the new King Edward VIII will "substitute Fort Belvedere, at Sunningdale on the edge of the Windsor forest, for Sandringham as his country home." Fort Belvedere is closer to London.

Fort Belvedere is crown property. It was refitted recently "with modern furniture, an outdoor swimming pool, and a tennis court." There are only fifteen rooms in house house, but it is "likely to become Edward's favorite abode even after he moves in Buckingham Palace."

Princess Patricia of Connaught loves New York, according to an exclusive dispatch to the Los Angeles Times. The princess spent four days in New York City with her parents, the Duke and Duchess of Connaught. There are so many things that she liked: "the Metropolitan Tower and the art galleries," as well as the opera house and "the fascinating glimpse of lower Broadway."

The princess has made friends, and revels in the new "American girls' dance."

For four days, the charming and very pretty "fair-haired English girl" has had a "glorious American good time. Some of King George's subjects "hold to a strange, old, whimsical idea that New York is an 'inartistic' city and America a land of 'crudity,'" but this is a view not held by Princess Patricia of Connaught.

She is interested in the American girls' lives because she has :found that American girls have for the most part been brought up less simply than she herself."

A Princess's education is not "hedged about with formality nor cushioned in luxury." Princess Patricia has known "much of magnificence," yet "her own life has been, for the biggest part of each of her twenty-four years a simple thing." She was brought up simply, but with a "certain sternness. She also has a "freshness of enjoyment that many an American girl lacks.

Her education has been such "as to fit her for any station from artist's wife to Queen."

Thursday, January 26, 2012

American Ambassador John Leishman and Mrs. Leishman "made their introductory call" on Grand Admiral Prince Henry of Prussia and his wife, Irene, at the royal castle in Berlin, where "their Royal Highnesses arrived for the Kaiser's birthday celebrations."

Ambassador Leishman wore his "uniform for the occasion, reported the New York Times. The Ambassador and his wife were not accompanied by their daughter, Nancy.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Crown Prince Friedrich and Crown Princess Victoria of Prussia arrived today in San Remo, and were presented with "handsome bouquets," on the occasion of their wedding anniversary," reports the New York Times.

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess are celebrating their 30th anniversary.

The Crown Princess opened a charity bazaar in San Remo, and was again "presented with bouquets, the gift of the British and American residents of San Remo."

In the evening, the Crown Prince and Princess enjoyed a "display of fireworks" over their residence, the Villa Zirio. A local band serenaded the imperial couple below their windows. The Crown Prince appeared before a window, and "bowed in recognition of the compliment."

Tomorrow, the Crown Prince's second son, Prince Heinrich, will travel to Milan to meet his fiancee, Princess Irene, and her father, the Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine.

Crown Princess Juliana of the Netherlands did not live the palace today for her usual walk or automobile drive," reports the New York Times. The princess is expecting her first child.

Her private secretary said that the "bad weather" was the reason for the princess to stay inside. But many believe that "medical intervention" will be needed if the Princess's "condition remained unchanged."

Several royal ladies are, according to the Chicago Daily Tribune, "efficient workwomen." Archduchess Isabella of Austria, the wife of Archduke Friedrich, "makes scented candles." The Duchess of Guise is said to be a "skilled milliner," and is also known for her skill in making artificial flowers. Duchess Philipp of Württemberg makes "ordinary surgical bandages" and "elastic stockings.

Princess Hermine Reuss makes watches and has exhibited her work. Princess Arnulf of Bavaria enjoys making "beautiful lace." Princess Ingeborg of Sweden is a "noted toymaker." All of the "gollywogs and other dolls, as well as the dolls' houses and furniture," in the nursery of her three daughters, Princesses Margaretha, Martha and Astrid, were made by her.

King Alfonso XIII of Spain arrived today in Biarritz, France, and "took dejeuner" with his fiancee, Princess Ena of Battenberg, the Los Angeles Times reports in an exclusive dispatch.

The guests at midday meal include Princess Ena's mother, Princess Henry of Battenberg, and her elder brother, Prince Alexander of Battenberg, and Princess Frederica of Hanover and her husband, Baron Alfons von Pawel-Rammingen.

After lunch, the king traveled by car to Cambo, and then returned to Biarritz before heading back this evening to San Sebastian. During his visit with Princess Ena, the king maintained "a rigorous incognito as Baron de Covadonga."

The Los Angeles Times reports exclusively on the rumors in Sweden concerning the engagement of Hereditary Prince Gustaf Adolf. Several names have been suggested as the the future bride, but the "most prominently mentioned" is Princess Sibylla of of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

The couple met in London recently at the wedding of Queen Mary's niece, Lady May Cambridge. Princess Sibylla was one of Lady May's bridesmaids.

Members of the Russian Imperial Family are suffering from influenza, according to the New York Times. Grand Duke Alexis, the Emperor's only son and his four older sisters all "have been stricken." The heir apparent's condition is complicated "by an inflammation of the ear."

Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna, daughter of Grand Duke Paul Alexandrovich, is also "down with the disease." She is engaged to marry Prince Wilhelm of Sweden.

It is believed that the infection "was brought to the palace on the occasion of the Russian Christmas. The Emperor's children "distributed Christmas gifts and mingled freely" with soldiers of the Guard.

HRH Princess Marie of Denmark gave birth today to her second child, a daughter. The princess is the wife of Prince Joachim of Denmark, younger son of Queen Margrethe II. The infant princess, whose name will not be announced until the christening, joins older brother, Prince Henrik, and two older half brothers, Princes Nikolai and Felix, who are Joachim's sons by his first marriage to Alexandra Manley.

Monday, January 23, 2012

The Condesa de Mazzenau, the former chorus girl, and mistress of the late Grand Duke Adolf Friedrich VI of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, will keep her royal pension, according to the New York Times.

The late Grand Duke had bequeathed a "yearly pension of $5000" to the Condesa because "she cheered up his life." She won the suit against Adolf Friedrich's widow, "who insisted that she and the other mistresses be cut off from the pension list."

A Berlin court, however, cut down the annual pension to $1,500 a year because the Grand Duchess is in "straightened financial circumstances." She can now afford to pay only thirty people "to look after her personal needs."

The Condesa de Mazzenau can keep her villa in Berlin, which was given to her by the Grand Duke. She considers the court's ruling to be meagre, "in view of her accustomed manner of living. Her husband is a former officer in the Austrian Army, and a member of the "Papal nobility."

With the court favoring the countess, another former confidant of the Grand Duke and his son, Adolf Friedrich VI, Countess Budna de Litic "will press her claims for her allowance of $5000a year and "cash for a check for $225,000, which she claims was genuine but was never cashed."

The Grand Duchess and her two daughters, the Princess Lippe and the Crown Princess of Montenegro, will again "appeal to the courts" in Strelitz to ask for funds in addition to "the $2,000,000 awarded to them shortly after the establishment of the republican government."

Crown Prince Carol's former morganatic wife, Zizi Lambrino has confirmed a report that "she is not allowed to leave the country," states the Chicago Daily Tribune.

"Eight days ago I applied for a visa to enable me to from Bucharest to Paris. Ordinarily I would have received the necessary papers with one day's delay. I have inquired repeatedly, but they will not tell me their reason for keeping me here.
The Tribune has learned that Zizi is "a virtual prisoner." Her letters are opened. "her every move observed," and she is forbidden to travel "except under escort."

Earlier today, Dutch officials officially confirmed "the report that the hopes of the birth of an heir" to the Dutch throne "had been shattered." The New York Times reports that Queen Wilhelmina, who has been disposed "for some days," is now said to be in satisfactory condition.

Archduchess Elisabeth of Austria, granddaughter of Emperor Franz Joseph, was married "this morning" to Prince Otto zu Windsich-Graetz, according to a report in the New York Times, The marriage took place in the Josefi Chapel at the Hofburg palace in Vienna.

Franz Joseph attended the wedding ceremony, along with the bride's mother, Countess Lonyai (formerly Crown Princess Stephanie), and "a number of Princes and Princesses of the imperial family were present."

Friday, January 20, 2012

Today was the annual commemoration of Prince Henry of Battenberg's death on January 20, 1896. Prince Henry, the husband of Princess Beatrice, was on his way back to England from taking part in the Ashanti campaign, when he caught a fever and died on board the ship.

The service took place that the Whipppingham Church on the Isle of Wight, where the Prince's remains were interred. Queen Victoria lead the mourners and was accompanied by Princess Henry, Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein, and Princess Louise, Marchioness of Lorne.

Kaiser Wilhelm II is making most of the opportunity to draw attention to the "model conduct of his favorite son," Prince Eitel Friedrich, especially after the "late indiscretions" of Crown Prince Wilhelm.

Prince Eitel Friedrich is married to Duchess Sophie-Charlotte of Oldenburg, who is, according to the Los Angeles Times, "the best looking and richest" of the Kaiser's daughters-in-law. Her husband is seen as the "fat boy" of the Imperial family, but remains the "idol of the German people." But as he matured, he "lost his looks," is now rather short, "enormously stout, and of rather insignificant features."

Princess Eitel Friedrich is four years older than her husband. She is the daughter of the Grand Duke of Oldenburg and his first wife, from whom she "inherited her fat purse." She met her future husband at the wedding of the Crown Prince Wilhelm and Duchess Cecilie of Mecklenburg. They often met during that summer, and were married on February 27, 1906.

Prince Eitel Friedrich was not the Duchess' first love. When she was in her late teens, she fell in love with "her father's adjutant, a handsome and dashing young solder." The romance faded quickly, after Sophie Charlotte's father discovered what was happening, and the young soldier was sent to America "for his health."

He returned to Oldenburg, "entirely recovered" not long afterward, and he and the Princess and her family have remained good friends.

Princess Eitel Friedrich made a great impression when she and her husband traveled to the Holy Land last year. In Jerusalem, at a "brilliant gathering representing every race and religion," lemonade and cigarettes were passed around. Princess Eitel Friedrich accepted one of the cigarettes, and lighted it. A woman smoking did not "astonish her Mohammed hosts," but they were surprised that a "western Christian woman would have adopted their customs."

The princess' action helped to "promote a good feeling among the people whom they traveled."

Because she does not like "ordinary social amusements," Princess Eitel Friedrich does not do as much as the Crown Princess. She prefers the "country life" and "'pottering' about her garden. She also shares several interests with her "august" in-laws. Like Kaiser Wilhelm, Sophie Charlotte enjoys music, and like Kaiserin Auguste Viktoria, she "takes a keenest interest in all hospital work," and she tries to visit a charitable institution every day.

The couple, much to their regret, do not have any children, but the Princess is a great favorite of her nephews, the children of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.

It was semi-officially announced in Madrid today that Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain is "again enciente," according to a dispatch to the New York Times. The "accouchement" is expected to take place in July.

This will be the second child for the Queen and King Alfonso XIII. Their first child, a son, Alfonso, Prince of Asturias, was born in May 1907.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

This postcard was issued in 1898 to commemorate the marriage of HH Princess Feodora of Saxe-Meiningen and HSH Prince Heinrich XXX Reuss. Princess Feodora was the first great-grandchild of Queen Victoria. Her mother was Princess Charlotte of Prussia who married Duke Bernhard of Saxe-Meiningen. Feodora was their only child. The wedding took place at Breslau on September 24, 1898.

I have had this card for some time. The card also commemorates the wedding of Princess Feodora and Prince Heinrich, but also features portraits of the bride and groom's parents, and the bride's maternal grandparents, Kaiserin Victoria and Kaiser Friedrich III, who had died in 1888.

This photo shows HSH Princess Mechtilde zu Leiningen and Karl Bauscher. They married on November 25, 1961. This card commemorated their 50th anniversary

A forty-two gun salute announced the birth today of a daughter to Princess Sibylla, the wife of Hereditary Prince Gustaf Adolf, grandson of King Gustav V. This is the second daughter for the Hereditary Prince and Princess. Their first daughter, Princess Margaretha, was born in 1934.

The Hereditary Prince is the eldest son of Crown Prince Gustav Adolf and his late wife, Princess Margaret of Connaught.

The Duke of York, second son of King George V, is to marry Lady Mary Ashley, daughter of Lord and Lady Shaftesbury, according to a Landon cable dispatch received by the Canadian newspaper, the Mail and Empire, and reported by the New York Times.

The dispatch states that the source of the information are "persons in high standing at the Court. "Lady May is a great favorite of the Queen. She is beautiful brunette and is 20 years old."

Lady Shaftesbury is a lady-in-waiting to Queen Mary.

The engagement is expected to be announced next month at the wedding of Princess Mary and Viscount Lascelles.

The dispatch also stated "The approaching betrothal of the Duke of York is especially significant because it shows an heir presumptive to the throne may marry a girl of the British nobility."

Recent group photographs showing Princess Mary and Lord Lascelles, "the figures of the Duke of York and Lady Mary Ashley have been prominently displayed."

Lady Mary's late aunt, Lady Susan Ashley, was once considered a bride for the late Duke of Clarence. There is a "well-authenticated romance between her and the Duke of Clarence," who died at the age of 28 on January 14, 1892.

Is the Kaiser's only daughter, Princess Viktoria Luise about to become engaged to Hereditary Duke Adolf Friedrich, eldest son of the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.

According to the New York Times, "extensive repairs" are being made to the Grand Duke's residence at Neustrelitz, which may indicate that the palace is being made ready for Adolf Friedrich and Viktoria Luise, to be used as their marital home. A dispatch from Neustrelitz gives credence to the statement published earlier this week that the engagement will be announced on January 27, which is Kaiser Wilhelm II's birthday.

However, court officials "still refuse to answer questions" concerning the possibility of an engagement between the Hereditary Grand Duke and Princess Viktoria Luise.

Infanta Maria Cristina, widow of Infante Don Sebastian of Spain, has died, reports the New York Times. She was the daughter of the Duke of Cadiz, and the "niece of the pretender, Carlos V." Maria Cristina was born on June 5, 1833. She married Don Sebastian in 1860.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Prince Feodor of Russia, son of Grand Duke Alexander, is staying at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, where he spoke to the Los Angeles Times and other newspaper. He is in Los Angeles to assist the American branch of the Fund for the Liberation of Russia. The Prince declared "the happiness of 160,000,000 Russians is at stake." He envisions an "an independent nation three times the size of France," carved out of the Soviet Union's "eastern expanse."

Prince Feodore and Antase A Vonsiatsky, the head of the American branch of the Fund for the Liberation of Russia, drove to Los Angeles.

"We passed through fourteen states," said the Prince," and California is my favorite. I reminds me of Southern Russia."

The 33-year-old prince came to the United States in December from Paris. He is married to Princess Irina Paley, daughter of the late Grand Duke Paul. They have one son, Michael, 7, who lives with his mother in Paris.

"I was 17 when we left St. Petersburg. I was just beginning to live -- when everything ended."

The Los Angeles Times has an exclusive report about Princess Patricia of Connaught, "the handsomest member of the English royal family." She is, according to the dispatch, is "tall, stately, has an elegant figure, deep blue eyes, full of thoughtfulness, almost melancholy," and she is said to be "consumed with a hopeless passion for a young English peer" who prefers "the stage door of the theater to the private entrance of the court."

Princess Patricia is the third and youngest child of the Duke and Duchess of Connaught. Her elder sister, Princess Margaret, was married in 1905 to Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf of Sweden.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

All the sermons in London "today contained reference to the affliction which has befallen the royal family," reports the Associated Press. The remains of the late Duke, who died on January 14, have been removed from Sandringham to the parish church, where the Prince of Wales and his family attended service today.

No female member of the royal family is expected to attend the Duke of Clarence's funeral. Queen Victoria has been advised by her doctors, to not leave Osborne House on the Isle of Wight.

Grand Duke Kirill, the "self-styled" heir to the Russian throne has condemned capitalism in his New Year's greeting, reports the Associated Press. "Capitalism," he said, "has generated into a form of servitude of the peoples to an insignificant minority."

His greeting was published in a small Russian paper in Paris. "The nations, however, are beginning to open their eyes and struggled against the oppressors is growing. Can capitalism be saved by police dictatorships, or will it be replaced by communism. Neither the one, nor the other."

Grand Duke Kirill is the father of Grand Duchess Kira, who is "reported to be the choice of the Spanish Prince of the Asturias for his bride."

His manifesto also stated that "nations would find new forms of social organization which would guarantee real freedom."

The loyal Russian community in Paris was said to be startled by the Grand Duke's remarks.

The funeral of the late Queen Sophie of the Hellenes was held today at Schloss Friedrichshof at Kronberg, the residence of her youngest daughter, Margarete, the wife of the Landgrave of Hesse, according to the Associated Press.

Three children of her older brother, the former Kaiser Wilhelm II, were among the mourners. They were former Crown Prince Wilhelm, Prince Eitel Friedrich and the Duchess of Brunswick-Lüneburg.

The Greek Orthodox service was followed by a Lutheran service. Wilhelm II sent "a wreath of laurel" to the funeral.

Queen Sophie's body will be taken tomorrow to Florence, Italy, for final burial.

Prince Nicholas and his bride, Joana, arrived in Paris today "on what is understood to be a slightly delayed honeymoon," reports the Chicago Daily Tribune. According to a recent dispatch from Bucharest, Prince Nicholas was about to be "incarcerated in a military prison" as he remained determined to remain with his wife, even after King Carol II had the marriage annulled.

The arrest was never "carried out", and Nicholas had a "stormy interview" with his brother, and declared that he was 'through' with Carol, the Romanian crown and his "title and rank of commander of the army. Prince Nicholas stalked out, "slamming the door" in Carol's face. He was seen shortly afterward boarding a "westbound express with his lady love clinging to one one arm."

His decision to renounce his title and "live the life of an exile is said to irrevocable." He also plans to remarry Joana.

The couple got off at Munich to say good bye to Dowager Queen Marie, and "ask a mother blessing."

When Prince Nicholas and Joana arrived in Paris, he was wearing a "dark double breasted overcoat and a jaunty traveling cap," while his wife "looked dashing in a Eugenie hat and a dark ensemble with a fox collar." They are staying at the Hotel George V, but plan to leave in a few days for a more permanent residence in Switzerland.

Two German newspapers, the Allgemeine Zeitung and the Morgen Zeitung, are reporting "to the effect" that King Alexander of Serbia is "seeking to obtain a divorce from Queen Draga, according to a New York Times dispatch.

Friday, January 13, 2012

By special cable to the New York Times and the Chicago Tribune Press Service

Former Queen Sophie of the Hellenes died earlier tonight at the age of 61 at Professor Noorden's clinic in Frankfurt-am-Main. She died after a "lingering illness from cancer." Queen Sophie underwent an operation on November 21.

Her daughters and her younger son, Paul, were at her bedside when she died.

Princess Sophie Dorothea Ulrika Alice of Prussia was born on June 14, 1870 at Potsdam, the second youngest child of Friedrich III and his British wife, Victoria, eldest child of Queen Victoria.

Emperor Friedrich succumbed to throat cancer only 88 days after succeeding his father in 1888. A year later, Sophie was married to then Crown Prince Constantine of the Hellenes. They had met when Constantine was attending a German military school. She was seen to have "good prospects for a brilliant royal career, as she was the most masterful of the former kaiser's four sisters."

Two years after her marriage, she aroused Kaiser Wilhelm's displeasure when she converted from Lutheranism to the Greek Orthodox church. Sophie and Constantine had six children: George, Alexander, Paul, Irene, Katherine and Helen, the estranged wife of King Carol II of Romania. Helen "was her favorite daughter."

Sophie was queen of the Hellenes on two occasions. Constantine's first reign lasted from from 1913 until 1917, when the king "was excluded from the throne by the allied powers." Sophie's second son, Alexander, was named as king, and he reigned until his death on October 25, 1920.

Constantine returned to the throne shortly afterward. He reigned until September 27, 1922, when he abdicated, and was succeeded by his eldest son, George II, who "was forced to leave Greece," on December 18, 1923.

A bulletin from Sandringham at 8:00 a.m, regarding the condition of the Duke of Clarence says "that there has been no abatement of the unfavorable symptoms during the day" There is also great concern for the Duke of Clarence's condition, "although his strength is being well maintained," reports the Chicago Daily Tribune.

The Duke of Clarence's physicians consulted "over the Duke of Clarence" at 9 a.m., and "the absence of this promised bulletin leaves no doubt that the Duke's condition, if not hopeless, is extremely critical."

This view is confirmed by a "statement just received privately from Sandringham, and from an authority which can be vouched for, which states that nothing but a miracle can save the patient."

The Duke's kidneys, always, are now infected with "symptoms of blood poisoning. According to "same authority," the "reassuring bulletin of this afternoon" is considered misleading, as "all hope is given up at Sandringham tonight."

The Duke's mother, the Princess of Wales is distraught, and "fears are entertained for her life should the Duke of Clarence die."

A further examination shows that both of the Duke's lungs are now severely congested. He is in acute pain, and "his breathing is difficult. The Duke of Clarence has never had the "robust vitality of his brother."

The Princess of Wales has "assiduously nursed" her son, and has been "occasionally assisted" by the Duke's fiancee, Princess Mary Victoria of Teck.

Crowds continue to grow outside the gates at Sandringham. This afternoon, the Prince of Wales could be seen leaving the house and "solemnly pace up and down before the Norfolk gate." He was later joined by Princess Mary, accompanied by Prince George of Wales.

Princess Mary told a friend that this was the seventh day of the Duke's illness. A week ago, the Duke was a member of a shooting party. At luncheon, he complained that he did not feel well. He was shivering, and felt cold, but after lunch, he continued to shoot. At the end of the day's shooting, he walked back to the house, "instead of driving with the rest of the party." That evening, he dined with the "assembled party," but retired early. Although Princess Mary and others tried to dissuade him from joining the shooting party the next day, the Duke of Clarence insisted on taking party, "saying he felt equal to the exercise."

But after luncheon, he said he felt unwell, and left the party, and returning to Sandringham on foot. Princess Mary accompanied him back to Sandringham. Later that evening, he "seemed rather better," but the following day, "his malady began to declare itself."

Thursday, January 12, 2012

The first postcard was postmarked April 30, 1900. The second postcard was postmarked sixteen years later on September 12.

Prince Maximilian Egon II succeeded his father, Maximilian Egon II, in 1873. He was born in 1863 and died in 1941. He married Countess Irma von Schönborn-Buchheim in 1889.

Prince Max Egon moved in Kaiser Wilhelm II's inner circle, and his star rose after Count Philipp zu Eulenberg, Wilhelm II's closet friend, "fell from grace," after he was charged with homosexuality in 1906.

In his two volumed biography of Kaiser Wilhelm II, Lamar Cecil writes that after "Eulenberg's star had begun to set, another person emerged who would become Wilhelm's closest friend, although not one so inseparable as Eulenberg once had been."

Prince Max Egon was an "Austro-German bon vivant of great wealth, superficial charm and limited intellgence. Wilhelm was a frequent visitor to the prince's home, Schloss Donaueschingen in Baden, "where he had encouraged the prince to renovate in an ornate Louise Quinze style."

The prince had no political ambitions, but was Eulenberg's equal in devising ways in which to please the Kaiser." Wilhelm, for one, enjoyed "the prince's crude badinage and his propensity for gossip." The friendship eventually waned because Empress Auguste Viktoria "disapproved" of the Prince.

After Kaiser Wilhelm went into exile in the Netherlands, at Doorn, "his dendrological projects were partly financed" by Prince Max Egon who would send specimen trees or money "to be used for plantings." Max Egon would also visit Wilhelm II at Doorn, and by the mid-1930s, he had become a committed Nazi.

The current Prince of Fürstenberg is Max Egon's, great-grandson, Heinrich.

King Boris of Bulgaria "has no intention of marrying an American girl if he should visit America with Premier Stamboulisky next Spring," reports the Associated Press.

The King laughed when a reporter suggested that he might find an American Queen.

"That is an extremely interesting and novel idea, but I am afraid it isn't true. Anyway, I'm too busy with the reconstruction of the country and other vital problems to give away any time to matrimonial projects.

"It is true that I have been living a life of great loneliness, devoid of all social diversion, but now I have my two sisters with me and that makes great change. You see, it is the duty of a brother to get his sisters married off first before he himself marries."

The trip to the United States has not been definitely set, as King Boris is facing "a seemingly endless succession of State problems."

Infanta Maria Teresa of Spain, elder sister of King Alfonso XIII, and Prince Ferdinand of Bavaria were married today at Madrid. Cardinal Sancha y Hervas, Archbishop of Toledo, was the officiant at the Roman Catholic service.

The New York Times described the wedding ceremony as "brilliant, and there was a great gathering of members of the royal family, Cabinet Ministers and other notabilities."

The Infanta and her husband, who has become Infante Ferdinando of Spain, are first cousins.

Although the physicians attending the Duke of Clarence of Avondale have taken a "very cheerful view" of his condition, there is a general feeling abroad that the Duke "is more seriously ill than his family and the physicians would have the public believe," reports the New York Times.

The Duke of Clarence, elder son of the the Prince of Wales, is second in line to the throne. It is only "natural that the English people" should be concerned about his illness, and there "is little doubt that their fears of a break in the line of succession have much to do with the belief that the full extent of his illness has not been made public."

Earlier today, the "official statement" released by the doctors say that the "inflammation of the lungs from which the Duke is suffering is pursuing its course." His strength is "well-maintained but that no improvement can be reported."

This "guarded statement" apparently indicates that the Duke's condition "is less reassuring than it was yesterday or last night." Reports received up until noon today from Sandringham state that the "pneumonia is developing into a more severe type than is publicly announced by the physicians."

Queen Victoria, who is at Osborne House, is "very anxious" about her grandson's condition, and she has "ordered that information be immediately telegraphed to her of the slightest changes in the Duke's condition."

Oh, please continue to purchase books and other things (CDs, movies, candy, electronics, all sorts of things) through my Amazon links here at Royal Musings, and at my other blog, Royal Book News! Thank you.

Give me a break! Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands covered her head when she visited a mosque in Oman, during an official visit. Several Dutch politicians began foaming at the mouth because of it. Do these same politicians issue expletives when the Queen wears a hat to church?

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark will be interviewed on CNNI (that's CNN International), not CNNA, which is the US network.

The program is called Meet the Queen. It will be shown this coming Saturday (January 14) at 9:30 p.m. (GMT), 21:30 for people who use military time. Many American cable companies carry CNNI, along with CNN.

It will be seen at 4:30 p.m. (ET)/1:30 p.m. (PT). CNNI will repeat the program on Sunday, January 15 at 10:30 (GMT).

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

The Duke of Clarence, eldest son of the Prince and Princess of Wales, is said to be improving, according to the latest bulletin from Sandringham. The Duke, who is suffering from influenza and pneumonia, "passed a good night," according to the New York Times.

Dr. Laking, who was called from London to "attend the Duke," is in "constant attendance upon his patient." He said that the Duke's condition is better, his temperature is lower, and believes "there is no cause for alarm."

By telegraph from Rome to Clifden, Ireland, and then by Marconi wireless telegraph to the New York Times.

All of Italy is "following with deep solicitude the flickering out of the life of the Duchess of Aosta," who is said to be near death from consumption at Cairo.

She is held in deep affection by the Italian people, "in whose lives she has taken such great interest." There is "universal sympathy" for the Duchess due to a crisis in her life. Last summer, British Queen Alexandra spent some time cruising in the Mediterranean, where the "real object" of her visit was to try to reconcile the Duke and Duchess of Aosta, after a failed attempt by the King of Italy.

The Duchess of Aosta's "tenderest affections for her husband" were wounded by the revelation that her husband was having an affair with an aristocratic lady from Naples.

The former Princess Helene of Orléans hurried to Rome to speak to King Vittorio Emanuele, to gain his consent for a separation. Wishing to avoid further scandal, the king reluctantly agreed to a separation if this is what the Duchess wanted.

The Duchess also poured out her heart in letters to Queen Alexandra. The Queen was very fond of Helene, who was once considered as a bride for her eldest son, the Duke of Clarence, but religious obstacles prevented an engagement from taking place.

Queen Alexandra arrived in Naples and "did everything possible to reconcile the Duke and Duchess." It appears that she was successful. The Duke of Aosta acknowledged that he "dearly loved and respected his wife," but the news of his infidelity did harm to the Duchess' "frail health."

A lung condition has developed into consumption. In Cairo, the Duchess of Aosta appears well enough, but she is "doomed unless a miracle is worked on her behalf within the near future." Her doctors believe she has suffered from consumption for some time. Her sons have "inherited the weakness she was not conscious of having at the time of her marriage."

Princess Helene grew up on England, where Alexandra, then Princess of Wales, "conceived a great fondness for her." At the time of her eldest son's death, the Duke of Clarence, engaged to Princess May of Teck, remained "madly in love" with Princess Helene. On his deathbed, he "called incessantly" for Helene, "his wish being granted before he died."

Afterward, Princess Helene married the Duke of Aosta, then heir to the Italian throne, and it seemed "that her prospects in life were extremely rosy,
contrasting with her approaching death and "makes it seem all the sadder."

The following dispatch has been received by the Chicago Daily Tribune in Vienna from a "high quarter in Belgrade."

"The situation is truly alarming. Everyone feels that a revolution is imminent. King Alexander is at this moment little more than an idiot. Queen Draga is Queen, both in fact and in name, and she and her grasping and avaricious family are directing the affairs of the country so far as they have any direction at all.

"Discontent is universal. The state treasury is empty. The government is unable to pay the salaries of its employees or even the officers of its army.

"We shall wake some morning and find the army in possession of the capital and the King and Queen in flight or assassinated.

"The choice of a successor to the crown lies between Prince Karageorgevitch, son-in-law of Prince Nicholas of Montenegro, and Colonel Constantineovitch, uncle of King Alexander and an Obrenovitch in his mother's side.

"There is also a party in Serbia which favors the election of a Prince of some reigning European house on the lines that have been adopted in Greece and Bulgaria. This party is for the moment lying low but may become dominant."

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

The Duke of Clarence, elder son of the Prince and Princess of Wales, is "seriously ill" at Sandringham. He is "suffering from a severe attack of influenza, complicated with pneumonia," reports the New York Times.

The latest reports from Sandringham indicate that the "patient has so far maintained his strength well."

All of the Duke of Clarence's engagements have been canceled. The Prince of Wales has also announced that "on account of the illness of his son," he is unable to leave Sandringham "to keep his engagements in London."

The Sacred Rota Tribunal has annulled the marriage of Prince Radziwill and his American-wife, Dorothy Deacon, according to the New York Times.

The announcement was made by the Prince's mother, Princess Radziwill.

Miss Dorothy Deacon was the daughter of the late Edward Parker Deacon of Boston. She was a "noted for her beauty," and was prominent in London and Paris society. The princess has sought the annulment of her marriage "on the ground that she had not entered voluntarily into that state."

Her sister, Gladys Deacon, was married to the Duke of Marlborough hast June.

It's official. After several years of rumors and denials, the engagement of King Alexander of Yugoslavia and Princess Marie of Romania, second daughter of King Ferdinand and Queen Marie, was announced today in Belgrade, reports the New York Times.

The first reports of a possible marriage were in September 1920, when Alexander was Prince Regent, and his father, King Peter, "was suffering from his last illness" at the royal palace in Belgrade.

Alexander also had to face supporters of his older brother, Prince George, who had renounced his rights to the throne in March 1909, after he was "implicated in the death of a servant," and political groups from Croatia and Slovenia that "indulged in a propaganda circulated ruin" Alexander's "moral reputation.

The Bucharest court paid no attention to the rumors or the stories in the press linking Alexander's name "with this or that favorite of the night of Paris." They knew that the young king was "rather studious" and a proud man who "loathed vulgarity."

When his father died on August 16, Alexander was in Paris, where he was "slowly recovering" from a serious operation. His enemies continued to concoct stories, "giving scandalous information" about his supposed private life.

He remained in Paris, even after he had recovered from his surgery, because he had "become enamoured" with Princess Sophie of Orléans, second daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Vendome.

The new king continued to deny the scurrilous reports about his life and his health. He also denied frequent reports that he planned to abdicate in favor of Prince George. Alexander returned to Belgrade to take his oath and "support the new constitution," and make plans for his wedding to Princess Marie.

King Alexander took the oath to support the "monarchy of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes" on November 5 in Belgrade. A month later, he traveled to Bucharest, and then to Sinaia, where he spent Christmas with his fiancee and her family.

[Note: I think the stories about Princess Sophie and King Alexander were made up by the press, as Sophie was mentally handicapped, and was unlikely to marry.]

Infanta Maria Teresa, the only surviving sister, of King Alfonso XIII of Spain, will be married in two days to Prince Ferdinand of Bavaria. According to the Marquise de Fontenoy, Prince Ferdinand has "divested himself of his German citizenship and secured letters of naturalization as a Spaniard."
In October, he was grated the rank of Infant of Spain.

Ferdinand, 22, was "splendidly brought up and is a pleasant looking,
stalwart, unaffected lad," but this marriage has not met with "universal approval," on the grounds that the couple are first cousins.

Infanta Maria Teresa is "far from strong," and she has inherited the "delicacy of constitution which was so largely responsible for the premature deaths of her father, Alfonso XII, and her elder sister."

Under the circumstances, it may have been better if Ferdinand were not so closely related as the Infanta is in the line of succession to the throne. She third in line after her nephew, Infante Alfonso, 4, and 11-month-old niece, Infanta Isabel Alfonsa, the children of her late sister, the Princess of Asturias.

Prince Ferdinand does have one advantage, "in the eyes of the people of Spain." He is not seen as a foreigner, despite being a Prince of Bavaria. His mother, Infanta Paz, was the one of the younger daughters of the late Queen Isabel, and her husband Prince Louis Ferdinand of Bavaria, "famous throughout continental Europe as a gynecologist." He, too, is half-Spanish, as his mother was the "eccentric Infanta Amelia of Spain, who died last summer."

If King Alfonso XIII dies before marriage and parenthood, Infanta Maria Teresa, would become "by the terms of the constitution," regent for her young nephew, Alfonso, even if King Alfonso left a widow.

The Spanish constitution "expressly provides" that in the event of a minor sovereign, the regency shall be "entrusted to the nearest adult agnate who is a prince or princess of the blood in Spain." Thus, after the death of the late King Alfonso XII, the regency should have gone to his eldest sister, Infanta Isabel, and not to his widow, Queen Maria Cristina.

Crown Prince Alexander II, Crown Princess Katherine, Princes Peter, Philip and Alexander together celebrated the Christmas holidays in Serbia. Last time the Princes were here was in August, and now they came to take a break, spend time with their family and to see friends. The twins Alexander and Philip, who live on their own for the last 12 years, revealed in their interview for “Blic” how much they like coming to Serbia, did they have any privileges in life for being princes… Prince Philip, who came to Belgrade this time without his longtime girlfriend Lucy Attwood claims there will be no wedding soon, before he realizes himself professionally.

What are your feelings about Belgrade?

Philip: I love this city, and my family is here. I come here pretty often, as often as I could. The atmosphere here is great.

Alexander: I love to come to Belgrade because people here are very interesting, and Serbs are very warm people, I would have loved to come more often if I only could.

Did the title of Prince help you in your career, and did you have any benefits in life because of that?

Philip: There are great expectations when someone is born with the title, and people usually believe that such persons are born with a “silver spoon”. It is much better not to show off the title, which is what I usually do in my professional and private circles, because I want to be just a regular person, which I really am.

Prince Alexander

Alexander: I agree with my brother, I like to show my professional and private talents, and that is something I can do without a title.

Considering that you are twins, and that you live on different continents, is it hard for you, and how did you get used to that?

Philip: We have not lived together for 12 years, since we were 18, and finished high school. We speak on the phone pretty often, but not every day.

Alexander: I live in San Francisco and Philip in London, and somehow we know that everything is OK, that we are OK and that is most important for us.

Are you happy to get together on Christmas, here in Serbia?

Philip: Of course, to be here with our family.

Alexander: I am very happy that we all got together and to be here.

For how long have you not seen each other?

Since August, and we were together here then as well.

Are you in love?

Philip: I am, I have long time girlfriend, Lucy.

Alexander: I am not, I do not have a girlfriend, it looks like they don’t want me, he said with a big smile.

You said in one interview that you are not ready yet for a wedding, did it change maybe since then?

Philip: Nothing has changed, I am not ready yet because I am still trying to build my professional career. When I succeed, I would like to provide the same to somebody else, and to be the real head of my family.

Would you like to marry a Serbian woman?

Alexander: Nationality has nothing to do with emotions and love, but I would surely like if it happens that I get in love with Serbian woman. Besides beauty, they are strong women with good character, and I like such girls.

Philip: I think exactly the same as my brother, we are twins after all, joked Philip.

Do you consider coming back to Serbia eventually, and what do you think could you live here?

Philip: It is not easy to live outside ones country, build up your life in another country, and then suddenly give it all up. At present circumstances, I am developing my career in another place. I would like to realize myself professionally, and then to use my knowledge and contacts for the benefit of this country.

Alexander: It is not easy to take such a step, but I surely review and recognise possibilities that I would have had here.

Could you compare Belgrade with cities you currently live in, London and San Francisco?

Philip: London is much bigger, and has more different nationalities living there, but some positive vibes are very much alike here and there.

Alexander: Bridges are the common thing for San Francisco and Belgrade, but people are more relaxed here and I like that.

What can you tell us about the humanitarian Ball that you organize in New York?

Alexander: I want to help Serbia and to promote it in a best possible way, and that is exactly what I will do during that Ball.

Philip: We promote our country in the best possible way, regarding culture and all things interesting here, and we pay much attention to problems that Serbia is facing. The next Ball will be on March 15 in New York City.

Kate and William are wonderful people

We know William and Kate, but we don’t hang around with them. We have common friends who keep them in high esteem, and we certainly think they are wonderful couple and very nice people.

The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Hesse and By Rhine have separated again, according to the Chicago Daily Tribune, and it is understood that this separation "will be final, a fact all the more to be regretted as the sundering of the domestic ties in this case is prompted solely by the complete incompatibility of character."

Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig is now on his way to Russia, where he will stay for several months as the guest of the Emperor and Empress,"the latter of whom is his sister," while his estranged wife, Victoria Melita, is in Nice with her sister, Crown Princess Marie of Romania. She will return with Marie to Bucharest in several weeks.

Queen Victoria is said to "be very angry about the affair." She is the grandmother of both the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess. Victoria Melita is the second daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

The Prince of Wales and the Grand Duke's eldest sister, Princess Louis of Battenberg, who lives for six months a year in Darmstadt, have been trying to effect a reconciliation between the young couple. Victoria Melita's father, the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha has been "rendered so ill by the worry and annoyance" due to his daughter's marital problems, that he has been sent to Egypt by his doctor to take the sulphur baths, "with the object of getting the bile out of his system."

The Grand Duke is to have an "irrepressible fondness for practical joking," and should his separation be final, "it will be the first instance of a royal divorce ascribed to such a cause."

Victoria Melita, "a high-spirited, quick-tempered" woman, has been the butt of her husband's practical jokes, which have included the "roughest kind of horse-play." She is said to possess a horror "for everything that offends her delicacy or that verges on vulgarity."

It is said that the married life of this young couple has been "marked by continual squabbles."

The Grand Duchess departed from Darmstadt last spring after one incidental, and it took months of "negotiations and entreaty" before she was persuaded to return to her husband "at the time of Queen Victoria's jubilee." The reconciliation apparently took place at Clarence House, the London residence of Victoria Melita's parents.

all images from Marlene A. Eilers Koenig collection

The Grand Duke promised to "repress his tendency" to practical jokes, but it was a promise he failed to keep. After the final incident, the Grand Duchess left Darmstadt for good.

The German Parliament continues to discuss the requests of the former ruling families. The requests keeps Germany "gaping in shocked surprise," reports the Chicago Daily Tribune.

The heirs to the throne of Mecklenburg-Strelitz have filed a "sensational claim," demanding that the German republic pay $5,000 each "to the titled women who had romances" with the late Duke Adolf Friedrich II, who died in 1914.

The former Crown Princess Jutta of Montenegro, the late Duke's youngest daughter, received $2,000,000 from the 100,000 residents of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, but she "insists that the republic pay for the ladies who cheered her father."

Duke Adolf Friedrich

The government of Mecklenburg-Strelitz has refused to comply with the princess' demands, and an "arbitration committee decided there was a moral as well as financial side to the question."

Prince Paul of Greece is staying in Suite 407-9 at Chicago's Blackstone Hotel, having arrived tonight from New York City. The 24-year-old prince met with reporters at the hotel, reports the Chicago Daily Tribune.

Leaning across the dresser in his room, the 6 feet 2 inches tall prince, "crossed his fee, grinned boyishly," and "gazed amusingly through a highly polished monocle, immovably gripped over his right eye."

"You know as much about conditions in Greece as I do," the prince said.

He speaks flawless English with a Greek-English accent. He graduated from Britain's naval academy.

"One thing is certain: the steps we had planned toward moving the body of my father, the late King Constantine, from Florence, Italy, to a final and formal resting place in Athens have been dropped for the present.

"Indeed, as things seem to be over there now, none of us, the quick or the dead, will ever return to my country."

Prince Paul, third son of the late King Constantine and his German wife, Sophie, has been in the United States for four months.

"Most of the time I have spent with my cousin, Mrs. William B. Leeds, the former Princess Xenia, and her husband on Long Island. I have made several visits to eastern cities."

A reporter asked: "Have you been impressed by our prohibition law?"

Prince Paul, who "seemed indifferent" to what he was called -- Master Paul or your royal highness -- thought for a few minutes before responding.

"I've been impressed to this extent, that there seems to be all the liquor that one wants to find everywhere one goes. I don't drink, but if I did I'd have as little trouble getting it in America as in England."

In answer to another question, Prince Paul said he was not "seeking a marketable appraisal of his title in the marriage mart." He also chose not to make the "usual bromidic alien applesauce" about the "feminine marvels" of American girls.

He did "discuss with anticipatory pleasure" the places he will visit in Chicago, before returning to the Leeds home next week. He "seemed eager" to meet with seventy-five Greeks who waited for him in the hotel's reception hall.

Tomorrow, Prince Paul will attend a memorial service for his father at Holy Trinity Church. The service was conducted by the Hellenic National Union of Chicago.

The Chicago Daily Tribune has learned that King George V has "received a special report on the renunciation of the Roumanian throne by former Crown Prince Carol, about which the British monarch has been much annoyed."

George V is said to be annoyed, not because Carol is a cousin, but "because he feels such incidents are injurious to the monarchical idea."

The Tribune has learned that the British sovereign "blames King Ferdinand and Queen Marie for allowing the matter to go so far." In conversation with his own aides, the King has used "the strongest language, calling the Roumanian king a 'dodderer,' and making uncomplimentary references to Queen Marie, whose claim to be an English woman is much resented in court and official circles in England."

[This makes no sense as Queen Marie was a British princess birth, and King George's first cousin.]

The report sent to King George indicates that Carol's renunciation was not "voluntary but was forced and was due not to domestic troubles but entirely to political." According to this report, Carol was opposed to the regime headed by the Bratiano brothers, one of whom is the prime minister and the other is the finance minister.

Their government is said to be "signalized by the worst forms of graft, corruption, and oppression." Carol was said to be involved with "organizing a party" to replace the brothers.

He would have thrown out the Bratianos as soon as he came to the throne, which "might have occurred at any time" due to King Ferdinand's poor health. Queen Marie supports the Bratianos, and she is described in the report as the real ruler of Romania. She was "persuaded" to get rid of "her eldest son, putting her infant grandson in his place." This would allow the Bratianos and Queen Marie to dominate the Roumanian government "for many years to come."

In order to carry out their wishes, "it was necessary to find a pretext and the pretext was found" in Carol's friendship with Elena Lupescu, described as a member of "one of the leading Jewish families of Roumania."

[Note: Elena's father converted to Roman Catholicism, and Elena was baptised as an infant in the Roman Catholic faith.]

Anti-semitism is rampant in Roumania and there is concern that "there might be a Jewish queen if Carol was allowed to succeed to the throne."

This was argument that was placed before Ferdinand, who "finally agreed to the demand of his wife and premier" that his eldest son must be removed from the succession.

The Tribune is also reporting that in Roumania that Carol remains very popular, and if King Ferdinand has "an early death a popular movement to recall carol and enthrone him is likely."

Adolf II, Prince of Schaumburg-Lippe, was the last of the German sovereigns to abdicate following the collapse of the German Empire in November 1918. He was born on February 23, 1883 in Stadthagen, the first son of Hereditary Prince Georg and his wife, Princess Marie of Saxe-Altenburg. Adolf was ten years old when his grandfather, Adolf I, died, and was succeeded by Georg, He succeeded his father on April 29, 1911.
Adolf II reigned until November 15, 1918, when he abdicated, and Schaumburg-Lippe became the Free State of Schaumburg-Lippe.
On January 10, 1920, Adolf married Ellen-Elisabeth Bischoff-Korthaus. The couple were married in Berlin.
In March 1936, the Prince and Princess were on vacation in Mexico. They were among the fourteen passengers of a Mexican airplane flying from Mexico City to the capital of Guatemala, when the plane crashed between two volcanos on March 26.
The plane was flying low and developed engine trouble, "when it was between the volcanoes it apparently developed engine trouble, for it circled as if the pilot intended to return to the landing field, " reported the New York Times.
"Suddenly the ship became enveloped in smoke and it crashed with great speed to the earth and burned completely."
Adolf's marriage was childless. He was succeeded as head of the house by his brother, Wolrad.

Princess Irene of the Netherlands announced today the engagement of her younger daughter, Princess Maria Carolina of Bourbon-Parma, to Albert Brenninkmeijer.

The princess is also the daughter of the late Prince Carlos Hugo of Bourbon-Parma, Duke of Parma.

The 37-year-old Princess studied political science at the University of Amsterdam and Harvard University. She also studied Forced Migration at Oxford University. She now works for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, a department of the United Nations in Geneva.

Mr. Brenninkmeijer, 37, studied economics at the University of Edinburgh. He received a MBA from Oxford. He is a manager at C&A France. His family owns the C&A chain.

The couple have known each other for more than a year. The date of the wedding was not announced.

Albert was born on May 16, 1974 at Paris. He is the third child of Alphons Brenninkmeijer and Cecilé Duwaer.

The traditional burning of the Yule log was performed in front of the Royal Palace, which was blessed by Protopresbyter Vladan Perisic, Father Panayotis Kartasios, representative of the Greek Orthodox Church in Serbia, Father Ilija Buha and clergy of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Beside Their Royal Highnesses there were present members of the Gendarmerie, employees of The Royal Palace, as well as representatives of the media. Burning of the Yule log was followed by traditional short reception for all present at the Royal Palace.

Representatives of HM King Peter I Foundation from Oplenac participated at Evening Liturgy and Christmas Eve activities in front of the Church of St. George. After burning of the Yule log over 700 children from Topola and surrounding villages received Christmas parcels.

Their Royal Highnesses will attend Morning Christmas Liturgy on 7th of January at 9:00 am at the Cathedral Church of St. Michael the Archangelin Belgrade that will be officiated by His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia.

The Romanian government has ordered the "remnants of the country's royalty to follow King Michael in exile," reports the New York Times, even though the two principal remaining representatives -- Princesses Elisabetha and Ileana -- collaborated so closely with the Russians that they became known as the King's 'Red Aunts.'"

Princess Elisabetha, 52, is the former Queen of Greece. She divorced the late King George II, in 1935. Princess Ileana is married to Archduke Anton of Austria, and the mother of six children, who are with her in Romania.

Only several days ago, Premier Petru Groza told reporters that the two princesses were free to remain in Romania, but it now appears that the Communists "decided that the Princesses must go and told them to liquidate their assets."

The two princesses are now in negotiations for the sale of their properties and "industrial investments." It is also not sure how many of the the Princesses' staffs will be allowed to leave them with them. It is "understood that passports for a list approved by the Government will be issued on Thursday," and a special train "bearing the last of Rumania's royal family" will depart, "perhaps on Saturday.

The two princesses are sisters of former King Carol. Princess Ileana's husband has been accused of "having collaborated with the Germans, although he has never been tries."

The New York Times' reporter, who is in Bucharest, also notes that the Rumanian people have not yet been told by "the press and radio" that Michael has abdicated and is now out of the country. But the Bucharest newspapers are continuing to "report scenes of wild rejoicing throughout the country over the proclamation of what is officially described as the 'Popular Republic.'" The reporter also notes in his dispatch that "any evidence of great rejoicing, or even fervent enthusiasm, seems to have escaped" his notice. He added that it is becoming "more clear that any centers of resistance, if such exist in this Communist-dominated nation, are afraid to manifest their opposition."

Now available for purchase: a well-researched, footnoted article on the life of Grand Duke Michael Mikahilovich of Russia, whose marriage to Countess Sophie von Merenberg was unequal, but a love match. I wrote this piece some years ago for Royalty Digest, and now again available. The price is $5.00 (and will be sent to you as a PDF). Just click on the Buy Now link for purchase. Thanks.

The Gleichens: the Unknown Royal Cousins

My article, The Gleichens: the Unknown Royal Cousins, is now available through Kindle on Amazon, in all the Amazons' Kindle stores. This link is for US Amazon. The price is $9.99. Just visit your Amazon and go to the Kindle store, search for my article. The article runs more than 50 pages! And who were the Gleichens: Prince Victor of Hohenlohe-Langenburg (nephew of Queen Victoria) and his family. His marriage to Lady Laura Seymour was considered unequal, and his wife and children were created Countesses and Count Gleichen. A German title but very English people .... Feodora, Edward, Valda and Helena .. all talented and interesting people. True junior royals.

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All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed or published without the prior approval of Marlene A. Koenig. You can, however, provide a link to the blog or to a post on the blog. Please credit Marlene A Koenig and Royal Musings. Thanks

Sources

The sources consulted for this blog include the New York Times, the Chicago Daily Tribune, the Los Angeles Times, the Associated Press, the Washington Post, and The Times. I also consult books and other materials in my personal library. All the photos come from my personal collection, unless other noted.